Jersey City Man Sentenced To Two Life Sentences In Prison For The 2021 Double Fatal Shooting

Saturday, February 7, 2026, 8:45 A.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

JERSEY CITY, NJ.- On Wednesday, a 24-year-old Jersey City, New Jersey, man learned he will have to die in New Jersey State Prison before he can begin to serve an additional 20 years after being sentenced for his convictions in connection with two separate shootings that occurred in the spring of 2021 in Jersey City, New Jersey, that left three dead and four injured.

     According to Hudson County Prosecutor Wayne Mello, on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, Omire Rios-Rodriguez, 24, of Jersey City, New Jersey, appeared in Hudson County Superior Court and was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Nesle Rodriquez to two consecutive life sentences in State Prison for his conviction in the shooting deaths of Jason Crutcher, 26, and Randolph Black, Jr., 25, both of Jersy City, New Jersey.

     Rios-Rodriguez was previously found guilty at trial of two counts of first-degree Murder; one count of first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder; four counts of Attempted Murder; four counts of Aggravated Assault; two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Weapon; and Possession of a Weapon for an Unlawful Purpose. 

     On Wednesday, in addition to the two life sentences, Judge Rodriguez sentenced Rios-Rodriguez to four 18-year terms for the attempted murder convictions and an additional 5-year sentence for the weapons conviction; the additional terms of imprisonment will run concurrently to the first life sentence.

     The conviction and Wednesday sentencing stem from an incident that unfolded on May 21, 2021, when, just shortly before 11:00 p.m., members of the Jersey City Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Crescent Avenue and Brinkerhoff Streets in Jersey City.

     Upon arrival, Responding Police Officers located six victims, all having sustained gunshot wounds. Two of the victims, later identified as Jason Crutcher, 26, and Randolph Black, Jr., 25, both of Jersey City, New Jersey, were pronounced deceased from their injuries. The remaining four victims were transported to area hospitals, where they were treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. 

     During the ensuing investigation, Detectives of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office and the Jersey City Police Department were ultimately able to identify Rios-Rodriguez and Cooleone McNeil, 25, of Bayonne, New Jersey, as the suspects and the individuals responsible for the shooting homicide.

     McNeil was convicted at trial of first-degree Conspiracy to Commit Murder and was sentenced to 18 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, which will require McNeil to serve 85% of his custodial term before becoming eligible for parole.

     Rios-Rodtiguez was additionally sentenced to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison, subject to the No Early Release Act, after he pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree Aggravated Manslaughter for the May 3, 2021, Jersey City, New Jersey, fatal shooting of Emmanuel Garcia.